The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Mar. 16, 2010
Filed:
Feb. 23, 2007
John A. Cafeo, Farmington, MI (US);
Alan L. Browne, Grosse Pointe, MI (US);
Gary L. Jones, Farmington Hills, MI (US);
Nancy L. Johnson, Northville, MI (US);
John A. Cafeo, Farmington, MI (US);
Alan L. Browne, Grosse Pointe, MI (US);
Gary L. Jones, Farmington Hills, MI (US);
Nancy L. Johnson, Northville, MI (US);
GM Global Technology Operations, Inc., Detroit, MI (US);
Abstract
An adjustable closure hinge assembly, includes a first hinge portion having a first aperture, a second hinge portion having a second aperture coaxially aligned with the first aperture, a hinge member disposed in the first and second apertures for joining the first and second hinge portions, wherein the hinge member further comprises a spacer intermediate walls defining the first and second apertures and the hinge member, wherein the spacer comprises an active material, and an activation device in operative communication with the active material, wherein the activation device is operable to selectively apply an activation signal to the active material and effect a reversible change in at least one property of the active material, wherein the change in the at least one property is effective to provide up to six degrees of freedom to the hinge member and less than or equal to two degrees of freedom in the absence of the activation signal.